Toyota Prius Ventilation System Repurposed As Solar Air Purifier

As part of its "ideas for good" campaign, Toyota has proposed using the Prius' solar powered ventilation system as a way to clean the air in third-world homes.

As part of its Ideas for Good campaign, Toyota has revealed a number of potential fixes for worldwide problems using existing technology. One such idea involves repurposing the Prius' solar-powered ventilation system and using it as an air purifier in third world homes.

The concept is designed to eliminate the health issues caused by cooking over indoor fires. It would use the Prius' ventilation system — which was designed to keep the air inside the car at the same temperature as the air outside — to suck up harmful smoke and remove it from the home.

"Electric stoves might be a solution but could require a hookup to the power grid and an added cost which a large percentage of households can't afford," writes Tim W., who submitted the idea. "Toyota's solar powered ventilation system could be used to draw smoke from the building. This application would be environmentally friendly, would improve the health of individuals who can't afford good health care, and move families toward a lifestyle where energy could be collected from sustainable sources."